Chikaming Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 2,778. The township is located in the west central portion of the county. Lake Michigan lies to the northwest, Lake Township is to the north and northeast, Weesaw Township is to the east, Three Oaks Township is to the south, and New Buffalo Township is to the southwest.
History
Chikaming Township was established once the Miami people were deported from their land in Southwest Michigan. Chikaming Township was established in 1856. Although most traces of native history have been erased from the area, the name "Chikaming" (historically also spelled "Chickaming") is derived from one of the Algonquin languages meaning "lake".
Communities
The unincorporated communities of Sawyer, Harbert, and Lakeside are all within the township, and Union Pier is partially located in both Chikaming and New Buffalo Township. The U.S. Census Bureau recognizes the Shorewood-Tower Hills-Harbert census-designated place in the northern third of the township for statistical purposes.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which is land and , or 0.83%, is water.
Interstate 94 passes northeast–southwest through the township, parallel to the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Warren Woods State Park is within the township. The Galien River flows from northeast to southwest through the township.